Although pesticide resistance is less widespread in the Nordic and Baltic countries than in other parts of Europe several new cases of resistance have shown up in recent years. This development and the expectation that what is now known as Regulation 1107/2009 would lead to a reduced number of available modes of action were the reasons a meeting was held in Denmark in December 2007 to discuss the establishment of a Nordic resistance action group. Participants included researchers, consultants, pesticide efficacy evaluators and representatives from the agrochemical industry. The idea was supported by all participants, but due to the fact that the future EU Zone A – North also includes the Baltic countries as well as the Nordic countries and because the Nordic-Baltic area by most agrochemical companies is considered one region from a product development and marketing point of view it was decided to invite the Baltic countries to join the group. They accepted the invitation and in November 2008 the first NORBARAG meeting was held in Finland. The second meeting was held in Lithuania in December 2009 and the third meeting will be organized in Norway in November this year. Objectives of NORBARAG

The objectives of NORBARAG are to:

• Provide a forum for information exchange between people actively involved in research into pesticide resistance and efficacy evaluation of pesticides
• Ensure that cases of resistance in the Nordic-Baltic region are verified and listed • discuss strategies to avoid resistance and to manage resistant populations
• Define research needs, discuss test methodologies and agree on standards
• Promote collaboration on resistance screening and other research topics related to pesticide resistance
• Promote awareness on pesticide resistance issues e.g. by producing educational material
• Maintain contacts with similar groups in other countries